خدیجه سادات باقرزاده

The emotional and behavioral effects of disclosing infidelity on each of the couples involved are extremely destructive. This often leads to acute stress disorder, which is the primary and most significant response to such a situation. In this context, schemas, acting as a framework for information processing, can be effective in managing acute stress by bringing about profound changes in attitudes towards oneself, others, and the world. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of maladaptive schemas on acute stress disorder resulting from spousal infidelity.

The research method used was descriptive-correlational. The study's statistical population comprised couples engaged in marital infidelity who sought assistance from courts and family counseling centers in Tehran and Saveh cities between 2020 and 2021. A sample of 172 individuals was selected using the purposeful sampling method. Data collection tools included the Stanford Acute Stress Reaction Questionnaire (Cardena et al., 2000) and the Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form (1998). The data were analyzed using SPSS24 software, which employed descriptive indicators such as frequency, frequency percentage, mean, standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis. Statistical tests including Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis were also conducted.

The study findings revealed a significant positive relationship (p<0.01) between acute stress reactions to a spouse's infidelity and early maladaptive schemas, including disconnection and rejection (r=0.40), impaired autonomy and performance (r=0.34), other-directedness (r=0.29), overvigilance and inhibition (r=0.44), and impaired limits (r=0.25). Various types of acute stress reactions, including dissociative symptoms, re-experiencing, avoidance, hyperarousal, and functional disorder, were found to have a significant positive relationship with early maladaptive schemas and their domains (p<0.05). The domains of early maladaptive schemas accounted for 33% of the total variance in acute stress disorder (p<0.01).

The research results indicate that maladaptive schemas formed as a result of spousal infidelity serve as the foundation for the development of acute stress disorder following the revelation of the infidelity.

< p >The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of meaning of life and religious beliefs with the type and extent of acute stress reactions after the disclosure of spouse''s infidelity. This correlational study was a descriptive research. The population was couples who had been involved in infidelities and had referred to the courts and family counseling centers in the cities of Tehran and Saveh in the years 2020-2021. 172 people were purposefully selected among them as the sample. The data collection tools were Stanford Acute Stress Reaction Questionnaire (SASRQ), Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ) and Glock and Stark''s dimensions of religiosity. The data were analyzed by the Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis. According to the results, the extent of acute stress reactions after the disclosure of spouse''s infidelity had a negative significant relationship with meaning of life and its dimensions, including the existence of meaning and seeking it, and religious beliefs and their dimensions, including beliefs, rituals, and emotional and consequential aspects (p < 0.01). All types of acute stress reactions, i.e. dissociative symptoms, re-experience, avoidance, anxiety, hyper-arousal and functional disorder, also had a negative significant relationship with religious beliefs, and meaning of life and its dimensions (p < 0.05). 36% of the total variance of acute stress reactions was explained by meaning of life and religious beliefs (p < 0.01). Therefore, couples'' meaning of life and religious beliefs decrease their acute stress reactions after the disclosure of spouse''s infidelity.